Young anglers reel in rainbow trout at children’s fishing derby

LAKEVILLE — On a chilly Saturday morning, April 11, the banks of Factory Pond in Lakeville were lined with youngsters casting their lines in the water in the hope of catching either a rainbow trout or the elusive and rare golden trout.

Piper Bernoi, 10, was determined to catch one of the famed golden trout included in the stocking of Factory Pond earlier in the week for the annual children’s fishing derby. She was so gung-ho that she even drew a picture of the fish, accompanied by the affirmation, “I will catch the golden trout,” written over and over again.

At one point, Piper lost her bobber and worm, and headed to the Grove boathouse and tackle shop with her grandmother, Merrilee Sherwood Alexander, to get replacements.

Andy Moskowitz, age seven, connected with what turned out to be a three-pound rainbow trout.

His mother, Nicole, who had longer arms, stepped in with the net, and after Grove manager Stacey Dodge weighed the catch, Andy practiced catch-and-release, returning the fish to the water.

The children’s fishing derby takes place on what used to be the opening day of the trout season. Connecticut changed to a year-round season in 2022. From March 1 until 6 a.m. on the second Saturday in April, trout fishing remains catch-and-release only in most waters.

After 6 a.m. on the second Saturday in April, anglers may keep their catch, bearing in mind a new regulation – a statewide nine-inch minimum length for trout.

Before the rule changes — and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic — the second Saturday in April featured a line of anglers on Ethan Allen Street in the early morning hours, waiting to launch in Lake Wononscopomuc.

Now, Factory Pond is stocked with rainbow trout and a couple of golden trout about a week before the derby, to allow the fish to get acclimated.

Seventeen young anglers participated.Despite the anticipation — and 44-degree water — none of the anglers managed to land a golden trout this year.

Derby Winners:

First to catch a fish:

Katie Soule, Andy Moskowitz (age 7/8); Ophelia Redman, Wyatt Redman (age 9/10); Ryan Soule (age 11/12).

First to catch limit:

Ryan Soule

Largest fish:
Andy Moskowitz (three pounds); Wyatt Redman (two pounds eight ounces); Ryan Soule (one pound two ounces).